Surface projectile target having a central goal loop

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus adapted to be played with a ball which is bowled toward a goal device adapted for either indoor or outdoor use and which resembles a circular mound having gradually rising sides terminating in a central goal loop member which extends vertically from a shaft pivotally mounted for rotation about said shaft when struck by the ball incident to a player trying to bowl the ball through the loop from adjacent the perimeter of the goal device. The upper surface of the goal device is provided with a contour which permits a ball to be directed in a curved path, if desired, toward the goal loop.

United States Patent 91 Crowder 1 Jan. 16, 1973 p [76] Inventor: William E. Crowdei', R.D. No. 1,

' Mt. Wolfe, Pa.

22 Filed: o:.1s,1971

21] Appl. No.: 190,048

[52] US. Cl. ..273/127 R, 273/118 D [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 71/04 [58] Field of Search...273/1 18 D, 118 R, 127 R, 117, 273/113, 110, 102.1 R, 102.1 E, 102 R Travers ..273/127 R Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney-CL l-lercus Just [57] ABSTRACT A game apparatus'adapted to be played with 'a ball which is bowled toward a goal device adapted for either indoor or outdoor use and which resembles a circular mound having gradually rising sides terminating in a central goal loop member which extends vertically from a shaft pivotally mounted for rotation about said shaft when struck by the ball incident to a player trying to bowl the ball through the loop from adjacent the perimeter of the goal device. The upper surface of the goal device is provided with a contour which permits a ball to be directed in a curved path; if desired, toward the goal loop.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SURFACE PROJECTILE TARGET HAVING A CENTRAL GOAL LOOP CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS applications filed on even date herewith by the same inventor and respectively entitled Projectile-type Game Apparatus and Game Apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a very old game known as Bowling on the Green which is played as an outdoor game in many countries of British origin in which a large ball is bowled by a player across a well clipped lawn toward standing pins. The game of Croquet is also well known which is played by knocking balls over a lawn surface through wickets with mallets along a fixed course until a goal pin is reached.

As far as is known by the applicant, it has not been proposed previously to bowl balls at and through a loop-type target from a certain distance and, especially, to provide certain hazards which increase the difficulty of play and also offer opportunities for skill to be exercised in achieving the making of a goal for scoring purposes. Therefore, it is the general object of the invention to provide a bowling type game played with a ball of suitable size and bowl the same toward a loop-type goal while encountering difficulties capable of being overcome by exercising skill, the goal embodying certain features not heretofore used which permit the game to be played either indoors or outdoors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a goal base which is in the form of a preferably circular mound of substantial diameter and having an uppermost surface which slopes upwardly, either gradually or otherwise, from the perimeter toward the center where a loop-type goal is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, the lower part of the loop being no higher than the adjacent portion of the mound area. The sloping surface areas also are preferably provided with curved ridges of varying height and lateral curvature between which concaved grooved surfaces-extend to make it possible for a player to bowl a ball up one of the grooves which curves in an appropriate direction to cause it to pass through the goal loop.

The ball may strike the goal loop and cause it to rotate about its axis and come to rest at a random position and likewise the ball will come to rest in a random position relative to the perimeter of the goal base. The next player, for example, depending upon the selected rules of play, may be required to bowl the ball from such random position, up the goal base, and attempt to pass it through the goal loop.

The goal base may be of such large size that, to handle it conveniently, it may be composed of similar segments which are detachably connectable together so as to permit it to be used either on an outdoor or indoor surface. Further, the goal base also may be made conveniently from suitable sheet material such as metal, synthetic resin, plywood, stiffened fabric, cardboard, or

the like, which sheets are molded or stamped suitably to provide a desired contour therein, of a permanent nature and of the type referred to above.

Details of the foregoing objectives and structure are set forth in the following specification and are illustrated on the drawing attached hereto and forming a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of game apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of details of the goal base of the apparatus as seen on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the principal piece of apparatus comprises a target base 10 which is preferably circular in plan view. The actual diameter may be varied according to the type of play and the size of the base desired for any particular form of play. For example, it is conceivable that in one type of game, of the outdoor type, the base may be eight or ten feet in diameter and disposed upon a flat lawn or other relatively smooth playing surface for use with a ball, for example, possibly of the size of a croquet ball, i.e., 3 or 4 inches in diameter.

It is also conceivable that either for certain types of indoor use, either upon a floor or table, the base 10 may be of the order of two feet in diameter and played with conventional marbles of the order of /2 or 3 4 of an inch in diameter. The same general principles of play can be involved, regardless of the ranges of size of the target base between the several substantially maximum and minimum sized limits referred to above.

In the event the larger, outdoor type is adopted for a game, the ball, such as a croquet ball, would be rolled, such as by being bowled from a surface outward from the perimeter of the base toward the target loop member 12, details of which are described hereinafter. It also is to be understood that although the larger size of base is referred to above as being of an outdoor type, it could equally as well be played indoors on the floor of a recreation room, gymnasium, or otherwise. Further, when adapted for table use and of the smaller size, which could be played with conventional sizes of marbles, the marbles could be shot in conventional manner by the human hand or otherwise rolled or propelled in any other desirable way.

Particularly when the base 10 is of the larger size, it is preferred that the same be formed from a plurality of segments, such as quadrants 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d. For purposes of simplicity of manufacture, it is preferred that the segments be substantially identical although the invention is not to be restricted to this characteristic. The segments may be made from any suitable material, preferably sheet-type, such as metal, synthetic resin, thin plywood, heavy cardboard, stiffened fabric, or any other similar material which is susceptible to being pressed or molded into the shape of a very flat-type of one piece cone or, in the case of the larger sized base 10, quadrants or other suitable segments of a cone are preferable for convenience in handling. By reference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the upper surface of the base extends from a peripheral edge which slopes into the bottom plane of the base and gradually rises toward the center of the base. The angle between the generally upper surface of the base and that of the bottom plane thereof may be of any desired degree even though, as illustrated, it is relatively gradual. Such showing is only exemplary and not restrictive.

Particularly when the base of the larger size is formed from quadrants, or other preferably similar segments, each quadrant or segment is provided along the radial edges thereof with similar flanges 14 which are preferably formed integrally with the segment section. Said flanges are provided with complementary holes spaced longitudinally along the flanges for the reception of connecting screws or bolts 16, whereby the segments are detachably connected together into a unitary base structure. If desired, suitable U-shaped spring clips may be used, especially if the diameter of the base warrants such use.

The central portion of the base 10 is provided with downwardly extending socket member 18 which, in the larger sizes of the base 10 also is formed in the nature of quadrants respectively having vertically extending side flanges 20, which are connected by additional bolts 16. Preferably, the socket member 18 has a bottom 22, the socket being for purposes of receiving preferably a pair of anti-friction bearings 24, such as sets of ball bearings which receive the stem 26 which depends from the lower cross-bar 28 of the quadrant loop member 12. The lower cross-bar 28 of the target loop member 12 preferably is disposed within a recess 30 formed within the base 10 and, if of the larger size, within the segments comprising the same.

The target loop member 12 has sides 32 which extend substantially perpendicularly upward from the cross-bar 28 for a predetermined distance and then curve inwardly toward each other and form an arcuate top member 34. The opening 36 within the target loop member 12 preferably has a height appreciably greater than the ball or marble to be bowled or shot toward the target loop member and the width of the opening 36 preferably is at least twice the diameter of the ball or marble used to play the game which is selected and in regard to which the diameter of the base 10 is determined in accordance with the desired game, as described above.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the target member is freely rotatable about the substantially vertical axis of stem 26 as supported by the anti-friction bearing members 24. Accordingly, when a ball is bowled or a marble is shot from a position adjacent the periphery of the base 10 or outwardly therefrom, the ball or marble may strike the sides 32 of the target member 12 and spin the same about its axis even if the ball or marble should happen to pass through the opening 36 of the member 12. This feature adds to the skill required to play the game which may be any of a number of different types, depending upon the rules selected. At least basically, however, it is proposed in connection with the present invention that the object of the game should be to either bowl a ball or project a marble or other similar object through the opening 36 of the target member l2.

In competitive play, also depending upon the rules devised for the game, assume there are four players and each player selects a segment of the base 10 as his area of play for projecting a ball or marble, or otherwise, toward the target member 12 with the object of projecting it through the opening 36 of member 12. Obviously, if the loop portion of the target member 12 is not within a vertical plane transverse to the intended line of projection by an individual player, it will be difficult to bowl or shoot the ball or marble through the opening 36 of target member 12.

To inject elements of skill into the game however, another important feature of the present invention is to provide the base 10 with an upper surface that has a plurality of ridges 38, which are best illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 3 in exemplary manner. From FIG. 1, it will be seen that these ridges are curved in various ways and said ridges are not to be confused with the quadrant dividing lines 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

From FIGS. 1 and 3, it will also be seen that the ridges 38 are spaced uneven distances apart to provide therebetween concaved areas 42 which comprise curved guiding channels along which the exemplary balls or marbles 44, a number of which are shown in phantom in FIG. 1 in various exemplary positions, may be projected along curved paths defined by exemplary broken arrow direction lines shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of attempting to bowl or shoot the ball or marble along a path curved in the best direction to direct it through the opening 36 of the target member 12.

From FIG. 1, it will also be seen that the various exemplary channels 42 are directed in intermixed, op posite curved directions so as to afford a player a limited range of selection to exercise skill in passing the ball or marble through the opening 36 of target member 12 when the same is not in an advantageous position for this to be accomplished. Preferably, the marginal areas of the segments may be smoothly conical to effect substantially straight shots of a ball or marble.

From the foregoing, therefore, it will be seen that the present invention provides a ball game apparatus highly capable of affording pleasure and amusement as well as' presenting opportunities for the exercise of skill either when a player is operating the game apparatus solely or in competition with others. The device is relatively simple and readily capable of being manufactured from a substantially wide range of materials. If the base is of the larger sizes referred to above, it may be readily separated for storage into individual quadrants, or other segmental shapes which are not necessarily quadrants, for purposes of disposing the base in compact manner for the consumption of the least amount of storage space and also facilitate shipping the same. However, a smaller sized target which may possibly be only of the order of 18 inches or 2 feet in diameter readily may be stored in closet space.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

l. A game of skill and amusement comprising in combination, a base comprising a goal device adapted to be disposed upon a substantially horizontal surface and the upper surface thereof being upwardly inclined from the perimeter toward the center thereof, and a target loop member swivelly mounted substantially at the center of said base upon a vertical supporting spindle rotatably mounted within bearing means in said base below the upper surface thereof to support said target loop member within a vertical plane, the perimeter of said loop member being substantially wider and higher than the diameter of a ball adapted to be bowled up the outer surface of said base toward said target ring and said upper surface of said base having portions contoured to provide deflecting ridges to induce a ball to move in a laterally curved path when engaging said portions while ascending said base, whereby it is possible to project such a ball through said target loop member when the same is not disposed within a plane substantially transverse to the path of movement of such ball when bowled.

2. The game according to claim 1 in which said base is substantially circular and the upper surface has certain areas between the ridges which are substantially smoothly conical.

3. The game according to claim 1 in which said target loop member has a lower edge disposed within a recess formed in the upper surface of the central area of said base and said lower edge of said member is at least not above said upper surface.

4. The game according to claim 1 in which said upper contoured surface portions of said base between said deflecting ridges are concaved and when engaged by a rolling ball induce the same to change the original course of direction thereof.

5. The game according to claim 4 in which the opposite sides of certain of said concaved portions are curved outwardly away from each other.

6. The game according to claim 4 in which said ridges and intervening contoured portions of said base are spaced circumferentially from each other and certain areas between said ridges'are substantially flat in cross-section to provide substantially planar inclined surface portions adapted to be engaged by a rolling ball incident to being bowled toward said target ring.

7. The game according to claim 1 in which said target loop member has a substantially straight lower portion and side portions extending upwardly therefrom and curving toward each other to form a closed loop-like target member.

8. The game apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base member is formed from a plurality of similar segments detachably connected together along the segmental edges thereof.

9. The game apparatus according to claim 8 in which said segments have flanges extending along the edges thereof and projected downwardly from the upper surface thereof, and connecting means adapted to engage said flanges to secure said segments into a substantially unitary base. 

1. A game of skill and amusement comprising in combination, a base comprising a goal device adapted to be disposed upon a substantially horizontal surface and the upper surface thereof being upwardly inclined from the perimeter toward the center thereof, and a target loop member swivelly mounted substantially at the center of said base upon a vertical supporting spindle rotatably mounted within bearing means in said base below the upper surface thereof to support said target loop member within a vertical plane, the perimeter of said loop member being substantially wider and higher than the diameter of a ball adapted to be bowled up the outer surface of said base toward said target ring and said upper surface of said base having portions contoured to provide deflecting ridges to induce a ball to move in a laterally curved path when engaging said portions while ascending said base, whereby it is possible to project such a ball through said target loop member when the same is not disposed within a plane substantially transverse to the path of movement of such ball when bowled.
 2. The game according to claim 1 in which said base is substantially circular and the upper surface has certain areas between the ridges which are substantially smoothly conical.
 3. The game according to claim 1 in which said target loop member has a lower edge disposed within a recess formed in the upper surface of the central area of said base and said lower edge of said member is at least not above said upper surface.
 4. The game according to claim 1 in which said upper contoured surface portions of said base between said deflecting ridges are concaved and when engaged by a rolling ball induce the same to change the original course of direction thereof.
 5. The game according to claim 4 in which the opposite sides of certain of said concaved portions are curved outwardly away from each otHer.
 6. The game according to claim 4 in which said ridges and intervening contoured portions of said base are spaced circumferentially from each other and certain areas between said ridges are substantially flat in cross-section to provide substantially planar inclined surface portions adapted to be engaged by a rolling ball incident to being bowled toward said target ring.
 7. The game according to claim 1 in which said target loop member has a substantially straight lower portion and side portions extending upwardly therefrom and curving toward each other to form a closed loop-like target member.
 8. The game apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base member is formed from a plurality of similar segments detachably connected together along the segmental edges thereof.
 9. The game apparatus according to claim 8 in which said segments have flanges extending along the edges thereof and projected downwardly from the upper surface thereof, and connecting means adapted to engage said flanges to secure said segments into a substantially unitary base. 